Calling on Wellington

It’s just a quick one tonight before we head into tomorrow’s second Test match. As I’ve said in previous blogs, this Test is a special one for a few reasons. It will be the 50th Test match held at the Basin Reserve. The ground holds a very special place in my heart as it’s my home ground, where I’ve learnt how to play cricket, not just take part.

Tonight our caps were presented to us by a proud 93-year-old; he’s been to every Test match at the Basin. This kind of love for the game means a lot to us players. We love the game, but we also love to play in front of a crowd. No point more proven than last week in Dunedin where the crowd pulled us along and possibly shaped an amazing final day.

It’s been a tough buildup. We’ve not been able to get outside even once to train since we arrived in Wellington. This is not perfect, but it is also not the worst. It was a tired team that walked off the park last Saturday: the enforced lower key training sessions may well play a part in helping us stay stronger for longer. We’ve still been training, but you cannot train at the same intensity indoors as you can out.

I’ve just been out for a curry with a very good mate and feel really good; properly excited in anticipation of another Test at the Basin. Test wins at the Basin are special, they are celebrated differently to other Test matches; why? I don’t really know, but it is such a great ground to play at and that may have something to do with it. I’m not getting ahead of myself here, we’ve got some bloody hard work in front of us to achieve a win here, but we will be go full throttle from ball one.

Wellington, if you’re reading this, get along, help us out, make some positive noise like there was in Dunedin last week. Make it a special five days, make it a Test to remember for you and for us.